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Duke  University  Libraries 


D03209802O 


REPORT  OF  ROBERT  OULD. 


Richmond,  Va.,  April  13th,  1863. 
Hon.  Jas,  a.  Seddon,  Secretary  of  War  : 

Sir:  In  the  matter  of  the  resolution  of  the  House  cff  Representa- 
tives relating  to  Dr.  Jos.  E.  Dixon,  I  have  the  honor  to  make  the 
following  report : 

His  c.ise  ^vas  brought  specially  to  the  attention  of  the  Federal 
agent  of  exchange  moic  than  two  months  ngo,  an<l  just  as  soon  as  the 
fact  of  his  confinement  came  to  my  knowledge.  The  agent  piomised 
to  enquire  into  the  matter  and  effect  his  release.  At  a  subsequent 
interview  the  agent  stated  that  Surgeon  Dixon  was  charged  as  being 
a  spy,  and  h.id  been  and  was  held  as  such  ;  that  after  his  unconditional 
release  he  was  found  at  a  place  within  Federal  lines,  not  in  the  lino 
of  his  proper  route,  and  under  circumstances  calculated  to  excite  sus- 
picion. I  represented  to  him  the  true  state  of  the  case,  and  I  believe 
satisfied  him  that  the  suspicion  was  unjust.  I  was  enabled  to  do  this 
very  fully  from  the  information  kindly  furnished  to. me  some  time  ago, 
by  the  Hon.  Geo.  W,  Jones,  Representative  from  Tennessee.  I  gave 
the  Federal  agent  a  memorandum  explaining  the  whole  matter,  which 
he  promised  to  use  in  the  doctor's  behalf.  Since  then  no  communica- 
tion has  passed  between  us  relating  to  the  subject.  I  have  but  little 
doubt,  however,  that  the  doctor  will  shortly  be  returned  to  his  friends. 
Respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

RO.  OULD, 
Agent  of  ^cfiange. 


MESSAGE  OF  THE  rriESIDENT. 


Richmond,  Va.,  April  18,  1863. 

To  the  House  of  Reprrsfntatives  : 

I  herewith  transmit  a  communication  from  the  Sccret;iry  of  War, 
in  respcnsjc  to  your  rcsoluiioti  of  the  4th  instant,  relative  to  the  case 
of  Surgeon  J.  JbT.  Dixon,  a  prisoner  at  Johnj-on's  i>l:in<l. 

JEFFERSON  DAVIS. 


COMMUNICATION  FROM  THE  SECRETARY  OF  WAR. 

Confederate  States  of  America,      \ 

War  Department,  > 

Richmond,  Va.,  April  14,  1SC5.  ) 

His  Excellency,  the  Pre?;ident  : 

Sir  :  In  response  to  a  resolution  of  the  House  of  Represcntatiyes, 
passed  on  the  4th  instant,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  a  report  from 
Robert  Ould,  Es(j.,  agent  of  exchange,  relative  to  the  case  of  Surgeon 
J.  E.  Dixon,  a  pri.><oner  at  Johni^n's  island. 

Very  respectfully,  your  ohcdient  servant, 

JAMES  A.  SEDDON. 

Secretary  of  War. 


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